Independent Senator Lamby confirmed British citizenship and resigned from the Senate. (photo by Sydney Morning Herald)
Independent Senator Lamby (Jacqui Lambie) confirmed British citizenship and announced his resignation from the Senate, another "casualty" in recent months of the dual nationality turmoil, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Lamby`s father, who was born in Scotland as an independent congressman, raised doubts about her nationality. Lamby earlier checked with the UK`s goverment and warned his parliamentary colleagues that he was likely to need to resign.
On 13 November, Lamby told her colleagues that it would not be necessary to refer her to the Federal Supreme Court, (High Court), if she was confirmed to hold dual nationality in violation of article 44 of the Australian Constitution (i.e., that a foreign national may not be a member of Parliament). She will resign on her own. She made a similar point of view to the media earlier.
On Nov. 14, she told LAFM Launceston, a state radio station, that she was "clear" that she had dual citizenship and that she would formally resign from the Senate after noon that day.
Lamby is the eighth member of Parliament to have been forced to resign from the Senate since the twin nationality uprising broke out in July.
Faced with a proposal to amend the constitution to allow dual nationals to act as lawmakers, Lamby said politicians should "shoulder it", deal with their mistakes, and then run again.
After recount, Martin (Steve Martin), mayor of Devon Porter (Devonport), will take over Lamby`s seat. Lamby said she would "never" ask Martin to resign in order for her to return to parliament.
Lamby said she would consider running for Bretton Woods (Braddon) if Labour MP Kay (Justine Keay) is also disqualified for her nationality. She also hinted that she would participate in general elections in late 2018 or early 2019.
Lamby entered parliament, with Palmer United Party in 2013, and six months later, quit the party became independent parliamentary..
